robbinsca

We booked a balcony on our first cruise, and one other, but now get an Oceanview. The balcony is always smaller than you want, and you will probably want to look out over the water a few times from there, but cruise ship rooms are pretty small- you will want to be out on deck. Of course, on a honeymoon you may look at things a little differently....😉

We booked a deviation  using  the NCL Airfare program for our  British Isles cruise and were informed that the transfer would be voided for the new flight time. They will transfer us back from the  ship, but getting to the ship, since we will be there a day early, will force us to book our own transportation from  London to Southampton.

ISP is by far the least commercialized of the ports. Not sure a 6 year old’s attention is going to be held for a full day anywhere, so I would opt for the half day option.

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Taquan Air did a nice job on our flight last week. 10 or 11 passengers on the plane. The only thing I missed was that we only got out on the float part of the plane when we landed on the lake- last time we went we actually walked in a beach at the lake.

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We were on the same cruise. I agree with your assessment of Moderno’s. While I have enjoyed it in the past the quality of both the food and the service was well below par.

Cagney’s and the Teppanyaki Grill, on the other hand, were both excellent.

We had a different view of the buffet. Had one situation where the Offucer was just plain rude (contrary to his opinion fajitas or chili con carne are NOT normal fillings for hard tacos). The carved turkey was good but the hamburgers on two occasions were just inedible. The grills out on deck for lunch provided a much better, and fresher, meal.

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2nd Street has a lot of foodie places. I have seen lots of reviews, but don’t get down there often enough to make a recommendation.

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I live about 8 miles from Disneyland. I would not try to visit Disneyland and fly out the same day. If you are going to stay overnght this is very doable. You would need to make arrangements for your luggage, so maybe Super Shuttle can take you to your hotel room near Disneyland. Then drop off the luggage and head over. Be prepared for a LOT of people at Disneyland. That place is packed to the gills every day.

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Save some for next week!

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Sounds as if everyone else is as torn as I am, with a little lean to the balcony. One line has a $US difference of 1000 per person while the other is only about 200. It may come down to which line we choose. I like the balcony in Hawaii and Alaska #1, but did not need it in the Caribbean, New England or Pacific Coatal.

Oh, to only have this type of problem in life.....

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We normally just go Oceanview but next summer is our 40th anniversary. Should we spend the money on a balcony on the NCL, or Princess, cruise we choose in

June/July, or save it and spend the money on excursions?

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Have not done it myself but a relative who is very active thoroughly enjoyed doing a hike on the Mendenhall Glacier after helicoptering out there. He and his bride have pictures of them climbing ice walls and hopping over huge crevasses.

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Budget Queen pointed me to the fligtseeing 14 years ago through Cruise Critic. Whatever she recommends now I would listen to.

We went over the Misty Fjords and landed on a lake and got out. Fabulous outing!

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Don’t know if you leave or end in Seward, but the best Wildlife viewing we have had in our two Alaska trips was the Kenai Fjords tour. It is about 4 hours, not booked through the ship so there is no markup, and we saw several different species.

The highlight was the whale that we could smell the bad breath of......he/she breeched about 30 feet from the side of the boat.

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Several years ago on the Pride of America with our best friends Tom and Kathy. We went to Jefferson’s Bistro the first night and they served it as a buffet- a buffet with unlimited prime rib, crab, and beautiful desserts.

On the same trip cruising past the Napali Coast. We have seen both sides of the Caribbean, the Western Med and Alaska but that was the most magnificent.

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We went on POA years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Would go again in a heartbeat. The itinerary was the highlight, but the ship was a better experience than any hotel. Sailing by the Napaali Coast was something I will always remember.

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We booked independently through Hoonah Travel Adventures. Will let you know in a couple of weeks how it went.

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We used Rome in Limo years ago and were very happy. Unless the laws were changed the information from the driver was plenty for our group of 10 that we cobbled together on CruiseCritic.

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Earthquake Park was very interesting to the two of us from SoCal. It showed the quick devestation that can be wrought by Mother Nature. There was an old, old movie in the downtown area, then we drove out to the area ourselves.

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We have done both on the same trip. There were plenty of differences in the landscape and felt both were well worth the money.

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We were seated at an 8 top with three other couples. One couple was from Israel. The husband did not speak the first three nights but the wife was fun to talk with. He finally became animated when I made a comment about being afraid to visit Israel due to the troubles with the Palestinians. He got angry and said it was BS, it was perfectly safe. Later in the cruise they told a story about being delayed going home from a different cruise due to missiles being fired into their neighborhood.

I guess we all have different definitions of being safe.

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I don't believe that there is a Mexican restaurant on the Jewel. La Cucina is Tuscan.

I think you are right, but Italian food isn’t worthy of a specialty dining experience compared to the other choices either.

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Our two favorite parts of Talkeetna were the flightseeing (expensive but soooooo worth it) and the Talkeetna Roadhouse mentioned above. The Roadhouse is a jumping off point for Denali climbers- dare you to try to eat the whole breakfast!

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We took a float trip through the Bald Eagle preserve outside of Haines. There wasn’t much water in the river so there were a few glitches where the boat had to be rocked off of a sandbar. Other than that a very enjoyable moderate tour.

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Teppanyaki was my wife’s favorite, I, being the carnivore that I am, love Moderno. Le Bistro was a little too frou frou, we don’t do sushi, and I wouldn’t pay extra for a Mexican restaurant sunce we have a hundred of them near home.

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I think I will be following this thread for a while. We have been looking for a British Isles only cruise and that June 26th looks ideal!

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